The building  once an elementary school for Gouverneur Central School  was used by BOCES for an alternative education program and more recently to house health insurance administrators. The building has been vacant since BOCES renovated a former nursing home in Canton for its offices.

A deal was struck long ago for BOCES to give the village the first shot at the building for $1 if it was no longer needed, Ms. Fenlong said.

The big reason we want it is the back of the property connects to our park, she said. It has a ball field.

If the village has ownership, it could split off the land  which is less than an acre  join it to the park and then sell the building, Ms. Fenlong said. Whatever money the village makes would go toward a beautification project or into the park, she said.

If we made a few thousand dollars, wed be happy, she said.

The transfer is proceeding as planned, said BOCES Superintendent Thomas R. Burns.

Bonnie G. Raymo, a former mayor, voiced her worry the village could end up stuck with a white elephant, particularly if the building requires asbestos abatement or taxpayers have to pay to fix a leaking roof and make other repairs.

If we get stuck with it, it could bankrupt our village, she said.

However, Ms. Fenlong said the building is generally in good shape.

Its way better than I would have thought it would be, she said. Whoever gets it would get a heck of a building. The last thing I would want is to burden the village.

Putting the building back on the tax roll could mean an assessment of $500,000 added to the villages overall value, she said.

Several people have expressed interest in the building but no one has made a commitment, Ms. Fenlong said.

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